Inked (Inked #1)
Summary:
Tattoos once were an act of rebellion.
Now they decide your destiny the moment the magical Ink settles under your skin.
And in a world where Ink controls your fate, Caenum can't escape soon enough. He is ready to run from his family, and his best friend Dreya, and the home he has known, just to have a chance at a choice.
But when he upsets the very Scribe scheduled to give him his Ink on his eighteenth birthday, he unwittingly sets in motion a series of events that sends the corrupt, magic-fearing government, The Citadel, after him and those he loves.
Now Caenum, Dreya, and their reluctant companion Kenzi must find their way to the Sanctuary, a secret town where those with the gift of magic are safe. Along the way, they learn the truth behind Ink, its dark origins, and why they are the only ones who can stop the Citadel.
Eric Smith takes you on a high-octane fantasy adventure, perfect for anyone who has dreamed of being different… only to discover that fate is more than skin deep. (Summary and cover courtesy of goodreads.com)
Please note: I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review courtesy of YA Bound Book Tours.
Review:
This book was cute and had a good premise, but it did not deliver for what I was expecting so take my thoughts with a grain of salt. The characters are supposed to be eighteen, but they felt more like the 12 to 13 range, which made me struggle to adjust to their perspectives. Caenum is constantly rushing headfirst into trouble and then once finally reaching the destination he was shooting for, he runs away from any interest or responsibility. Then suddenly he goes along with the plan? (Trying not to spoil anything here so apologies being vague.) I found this dichotomy distracting though others may not have felt it was so abrupt depending on your perspective.
I think this is a book I would have enjoyed when I was a tween much more than I did at this age. The character development, plot and romance were all very light so it would have been a nice easy read without getting too invested. As I tend to gravitate towards books with heavy character development these days it wasn’t quite my cup of tea, but still overall a decent read.
Warning: Contains violence.
Rating: 3 stars!
Who should read it? Younger fantasy fans.
Want to read the whole series?
Rise of the Unprinted (Inked #2)